M4 repairs will cut down noise

PEOPLE living near the M4 should have a quieter life after major roadworks are carried out.

The slip road at Junction 10 of the motorway, the A329(M), has become cracked and noisy in the 30 years since it was built.

But that should be a thing of the past after workmen strengthen the carriageway, replace safety barriers, upgrade the lighting and extensively re-surface the road to quieten things down.

Wokingham MP John Redwood, who says people in Emmbrook, Evendons and Winnersh suffer from the noise, wrote to the Highways Agency asking to make sure a noise-reducing surface would be used when the work is done. He has now been reassured that it will be.

"I am delighted that a long campaign to get a quieter motorway has taken a step forward," he told the Evening Post.

"All too many people are blighted by motorway noise.

"Part of the answer is a quieter surface, and at last we will get this on part of the road in question.

"I will continue to press for the other improvements we need to tame the noise even more."

Before people can enjoy their peace, however, they may have to put up with a great deal more noise as the work is carried out - including work being done at night to reduce the disruption to traffic.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "Noisy activities, such as the breakout of concrete slabs, will be carried out during office hours.

"All activities, at any hour, will comply with maximum noise levels which have been agreed with Wokingham District Council."

Peter Scott, project manager at the Highways Agency, said there would have to be some road closures, but that the effect on traffic would be minimised as far as possible.

"We will have to close sections of the junction over eight four-day periods because the material replacing the concrete slabs needs enough time to harden," he said. "We apologise to motorists in advance, and are keeping as many lanes open as possible.

"This work will keep the carriageway and safety barriers up to current standards and ensure the road remains serviceable for the next 10 years."

Work will start on the junction on Monday, August 2, and is due to end in November. More information about the scheme can be found at Bracknell Library, Reading Central Library, and Wokingham Library. Information is also available by calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 504 030, or by visiting the website at www.highways.gov.uk.